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While it can take a substantial amount of effort to start a business, it is another thing entirely to keep it afloat in a fickle business landscape. It does not need to be said that trying to manage a start-up business can be challenging, and not every business owner is successful. That said, you do not have to suffer alone, as there are plenty of different methods to increase the odds of success, and to help your young business thrive.

There are different management platforms you can take advantage of

Business management software is not something that every new business owner tends to prioritise – which is a shame, as it can free up both time and resources, helping you to focus on other aspects of your business. Whether it has to do with asset management, communication between departments or a CRM system to make interactions with your customers easier, it is all about dealing with tedium. You might not feel like your business requires a management platform at such an early stage, but the earlier you can take advantage of such a service, the easier it will be to integrate as your business expands.

Your employees will dictate the success of your company

Some might think that incentivising the work of employees is something that can only be done as a business grows, but the truth is that it is necessary even for start-up businesses. If you put yourself in your employee’s shoes, would you be working hard if you knew that there was no incentive to do so? You would likely only do what you need to in order to get the job done, nothing more.

Your employees will likely do the same thing if your start-up business does not give them a reason to work hard. Acknowledge their efforts, and offer incentives to encourage them to give it their all. Having loyal employees early in your company’s life can dramatically increase the odds of success.

Maintain a social media account for your business

Last but certainly not least, it would be a good idea to have a social media footprint as soon as your business can get off the ground. No matter what industry you are operating in, having an account on a social media platform bridges the gap between company and consumer, giving you a chance to listen to feedback and to hopefully make changes for the better.

Having loyal supporters early on in the life of your business ensures that you always have a user base, and you would be surprised at how useful their feedback can be.

While managing a start-up business can be extremely challenging, it does not mean that you have to suffer through stress every step of the way. By utilising the methods above, you will not only minimise risk but also make things easier for you and those who work under you. Make use of management platforms, take care of your employees, and maintain a social media account.

While you might have initially fallen head over heels in love with your other half, the magic and butterflies might have since faded and you might be questioning whether he or she is the right person for you.

Despite not wanting to lose the friendship you have made with your spouse, you owe it to both yourself and them to walk away if you are no longer happy.

If you are unsure whether the time has come to move on, read the following advice to identify if it is time to end a relationship.

There is No Equality

If you, and you only are the one constantly showing affection, organizing social plans and striking up conversations, it makes sense that you might be disheartened with your partner. If you believe there is no equality in your relationship and you are making all the effort, you must discuss the issue with your other half. If, however, nothing changes and you remain unhappy, it might be beneficial to walk away and find a more balanced relationship.

You Don’t Feel in Love

While you might care deeply about your partner, you shouldn’t stay with them out of fear, guilt or embarrassment. As difficult as it might be to go your separate ways, it is the fair decision for both of you if you are no longer in love.

It is, therefore, imperative to have an open and honest conversation with your spouse about your feelings and the next steps you need to take, such as selling your home, talking to your children about a separation, or consulting a reputable divorce lawyer at dcwattorneys.com.

The Negative Outweighs the Positive

If you cry more than you laugh and fight more than you snuggle, it might be time to move on from the tempestuous relationship. It is important to accept that not every relationship is made to last and it might be the best option to remove yourself from the toxic environment. While closing this chapter on your life might be difficult, you will be glad you did in the long-term – and so will your other half.

You Love but Don’t Like Your Partner

While you might love your partner, you must ask yourself if you actually like them. For example, do you respect them? Do you admire their achievements to date? Are they nice to strangers?

If you cannot find many aspects of your partner’s personality that you like, you should take it as a warning sign. For a relationship to stand the test of time, you need to both love and like your other half.

Your Spouse is Holding You Back

Give and take is a natural aspect of many healthy relationships, but your partner should never hold you back from reaching your goals. If your relationship is getting in the way of your aspirations and your spouse is the opposite of supportive, it might be time to end the relationship to ensure you don’t look back on your life with many regrets.

or as long as it’s been around, minimalism has been widely misinterpreted as sacrificing the good things in life simply for the sake of it. But this is far from true. Minimalism is better described as valuing yourself over material objects, allowing you to enjoy what you have and not worry about what you don’t.

One of the great things about minimalism is that you can decide just how much you want to incorporate it into your life. Sure, you can go live in the woods and wear the same shirt every day, but it’s far from necessary. Simply being mindful of the fundamentals of minimalism can go a long way in reducing stress – something we all need in this day and age.

Less Clutter

One of the first things that anyone does when getting into minimalism is decluttering. In other words, getting rid of what doesn’t add value to your life. Having a living space filled with unnecessary stuff leads to a great deal of stress and anxiety. Start with a simple clean-up job and take some time to think about what you really need and what’s just lying around collecting dust.

Less Wardrobe Decisions

With the fast-fashion industry giving us more clothing than we can ever wear, our wardrobes are quickly becoming filled with unnecessary amounts of stuff. This has lead to the rise of decision fatigue; the theory that having more decisions to make in the morning impacts our ability to make wise decisions throughout the rest of the day.

By taking a minimalist approach to what you wear, choosing your outfit for the day is no longer a time and effort-draining decision. A good way to start would be to invest in clothing that is versatile, functional and made to last.

For example, a $500 jacket that lasts forever and matches more outfits has way more value than an obscure $100 jacket that wears out in a year. This also applies to your accessories.

Why have a pair of glasses that you’re embarrassed to wear in public or don’t provide UV ray protection, when you can invest in a pair such as these Calvin Klein eyeglasses that serve all the necessary functions in one package?

In the end, a simple and effective wardrobe that doesn’t need to be replaced all the time can go a long way in reducing stress in your life.

More Money and Time

Fast food, yearly smartphone upgrades, designer jewelry, alcohol, lottery tickets… we buy a lot of stuff that we don’t need to and more often, shouldn’t buy. Once you develop the habit of not relying on these luxuries for their short-term benefits, you’ll stop taking an interest in them altogether. This leaves you with more money, which directly correlates to less stress.

Conclusion

It’s not only money, time and effort that you’ll be saving. In fact, minimalism does a lot more for you than most people think. Once you no longer have a layer of material objects distracting you, finding yourself becomes easier, allowing you to focus on what really matters in life. And there’s no telling just how great this can be for you, so give it a shot.

The Mystery Spot is one of the most talked about travel destinations in the Santa Cruz, CA area. This “gravitational anomaly” is just 150 feet in diameter, but has an outsized presence in the popular imagination. It offers visitors a perplexing, perturbing experience that they just can’t seem to get enough of. If you dig visiting quirky attractions like Yellowstone’s Old Faithful or Roswell, NM’s Area 51, then you’ll love visiting the Mystery Spot. Located at 465 Mystery Spot Road, it’s near the Happy Valley Conference Center and Branciforte Creek. In 2014, California named this venue a historical landmark. Here’s what you need to know about visiting.

Where to Stay

There are several Santa Cruz hotels in the area. One good possibility is to make your base of operations the Hyatt Place Santa Cruz. Located at 407 Broadway Avenue, it’s only an 11-minute drive away from the Mystery Spot. Become a member, and enjoy a free breakfast. The Hyatt Place Santa Cruz is centrally located, so you can also head over to the Boardwalk, Wharf, and other downtown attractions. Situated in a more rustic setting, the Chaminade Resort & Spa is also close to the Mystery Spot. This hotel, situated on a mountaintop in northwestern Santa Cruz, offers stunning views of the surrounding countryside. Even though you’ll want to stay and relax on its historic Mission-style, it’s still close to the downtown attractions of Santa Cruz.

Heading to the Mystery Spot

Because this venue is a hot (mystery) spot, operators suggest that you book a tour and buy tickets ahead of time. You may do so online. The cost is $8 per ticket. Parking costs $5 per vehicle. Plan to arrive about half an hour early, and have cash on hand.

Active duty military personnel receive free admission. Simply present your military ID. You will receive your discount if you pre-order tickets by showing the ID at the venue.

What Makes the Mystery Spot so Mysterious?

Prepare to send your brain reeling with the apparently gravity-defying spots around the property. Balls roll uphill, and you may have to lean well past your toe tips just to stay upright – or so it seems. Mystery Spot tour guides frequently hint at an electromagnetic field that may have roots out of this world.

Scientists beg to differ. The Association for Psychological Science considers the Mystery Spot a visual illusion. It points to tilted floors, intentional slanting of buildings, and the clever designs that make it hard to develop a grounded frame of reference.

However, don’t let scientific information deter you from enjoying the 45-minute tour. Thousands of people per year are wowed and entertained by the anomaly. Just be sure to wear sturdy shoes and comfortable clothes; you’re in for a short hike up a steep hill. Then, suspend disbelief and let the illusion work its magic on your senses. You’ll swear that you defied gravity on this hill!

Stick around for Lunch!

The hike is sure to make you hungry. Think ahead, and bring a picnic lunch. There are benches and tables in the courtyard where you are welcome to sit down and have your meal. However, you don’t have to pack it in. There’s the Snack Shack on site where you can enjoy regular and vegetarian favorites. Examples include the Angus cheeseburger or vegetarian chili.

Visit the Hiking Trail

The Mystery Spot hiking trail is another attraction. After you finished your tour and had some lunch, head up into the beautiful redwood forest. Marvel at the tall trees. The hiking trail is a 30-minute excursion and well-marked for your safety. Just recently, Mystery Spot operators opened up a dahlia garden. Stop by to see the gorgeous blooms.